Influence of the radiation of the plasma-focus current sheath on the implosion dynamics of condensed targets

Abstract

Results are presented from experimental and theoretical studies of the influence of the radiation of the plasma-focus current sheath on the implosion dynamics of condensed targets. Radiative losses from the current sheath of a plasma focus in neon, argon, and hydrogen with a 2% admixture of Xe are calculated with allowance for the line, bremsstrahlung, and recombination radiation. It is shown that the temperature of the neon plasma (10–15 eV) is quite sufficient to evaporate Al2O3 grains of radii 10–20 μm. The use of neon as a working gas makes it possible to alter the cold-start condition in experiments on the implosion of foam liners.